Local CSAs Have Low-Income Shares Available

For individuals interested in accessing fresh and affordable fruits and vegetables, consider joining a local CSA (community-supported agriculture).

A CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support and investment to a farm, and the individuals share the benefits of its food production. CSAs usually consist of a system of weekly or bi-weekly direct pick-up of farm vegetables and fruit (may also include dairy products and meat) at a specific location, and a small time-commitment from each member seasonally. Food acquired through a CSA is generally much more affordable than store-bought food.

Both the Clinton Hill CSA and Fort Greene CSA have reduced-price shares available for low-income residents at this time. It is important that these shares go residents of the Fort Greene/ Clinton Hill area who may have limited access to fresh produce.

Fort Greene CSA
Low-cost shares are reserved for individuals making less than $25,000 a year, or families making less than $30,000 a year. If you or someone you know qualifies for a low-cost share, get in touch with the CSA via email at csa@fortgreenecsa.org.

Clinton Hill CSA
The low-cost shares are reserved for families making less than $30,000 a year. If you or someone you know qualifies for a low-cost share, get in touch with the CSA via email at information@clintonhillcsa.org or give them a call 718-907-0616.

Both websites have the application available.

ATTENTION: Upcoming Community Events

Making healthcare affordable and accessible for all, especially the 47 million currently uninsured Americans, is of critical importance. What is also vital, is ensuring that all individuals have access to federally funded programs. On Tuesday, August 18th, Congress Member Yvette Clarke will be hosting a Community Health Benefit Forum to provide information about how to access healthcare programs and answer questions regarding benefits that you may be entitled to.

Representatives from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), NYC's Department of the Aging (DFTA), and the Human Resources Administration (HRA) have been invited.

The Forum will be held on Tuesday, August 18th in the Community Room of 123 Linden Boulevard (first floor) between 2PM- 4PM. This will NOT be a discussion about the congressional healthcare reform legislation. This is an opportunity to hear from state and federal health officials about existing coverage and assistance programs that are available to you.

SPACE IS LIMITED. PLEASE RSVP at (718) 287-1142.
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State Senator Eric Adams and N.Y.C. Mayoral Candidate & Comptroller William Thompson, Jr. invite you to a health fair at Wingate Field. Attendees will have access to blood pressure screenings, glucose testing, and the opportunity to speak with medical professionals.

Monday, August 17, 2009
6PM
Wingate Field
Entrance on Brooklyn Ave. (btwn. Rutland Road & Winthrop Street)

For more information you may call, 718-284-4700.

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Meet Jill Richardson author of Recipe for America: Why Our Food System Is Broken And What We Can Do To Fix It; food policy blogger extraordinaire (Orangeclouds115) on Dailykos, and proprietor of the food issues blog La Vida Locavore.

Come meet these experts and learn about food justice, food safety, nutrition, sustainability, supporting small and family-owned farms in the face of the federally-supported agriculture industry, organic vs. conventional foods, what the Farm Bill means, etc.:

Date: Sunday, August 9
Time: 4:30PM - 6PM
Place: Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats Office
548 10th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(just off 7th Avenue)

RSVP to: sidnora@aol.com

The Fort Greene/ Clinton Hill Community Supported Agriculture Group, Tillies Coffee, 1/13, 8PM

Tonight at 8PM at Tillies (248 DeKalb Avenue), there will be a meeting of community members who would like to form a New Fort Greene/Clinton Hill CSA for the 2009 growing season. They are meeting to discuss the development of a CSA and will pass that info on to www.justfood.org.

FYI: a CSA is a Community Supported Agriculture group which is a group of people who get together and purchase their share of vegetables in advance from a farmer before the growing season begins. The farmer will deliver the food weekly to a pickup location (like a farmers market), and members will come to that location and pick up their share. CSA shares are always cheaper than buying retail because you cut out the middle man and often reduce the travel time and distance from the farm to the table. The share usually costs about $10-$20 per week from May/June to November. Almost always the veggies (which are organic and sometimes heirloom) cost less in the CSA than non-organic GMO varieties do at the local supermarket. CSAs are usually vegetable based but can also include fruit, eggs, dairy, meet, flowers, grains etc.

The Clinton Hill/Fort Greene neighborhood has 2 CSAs already (Clinton Hill CSA; Fort Greene CSA), but there are hundreds on their waiting lists. There are CSAs in almost every surrounding neighborhood, and they sell out/fill up quickly (DUMBO, Bed-stuy, williamsburg/Greenpoint, East Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, Bushwick, Caroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Pospect Heights, Park Slope, Prospect/Lefferts Garden, Red Hook etc). There is still a large demand for CSAs, and due to the nature of these arrangements, it's easier to form a new one than grow the existing ones. There are several local farmers who would like to do a CSA, but the farmers currently serving the CSAs in the area cannot fill all the orders that that are wanted and needed within the community.

There will be more meetings to come but this is the meeting where you get to voice your opinion on what the CSA goals and major principles will be.